Police search Hernandez's belongings as part of deepening murder probe

Police sorted through bags of items retrieved from the home of New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez on Sunday amid a deepening investigation into last week's shooting death of a 27-year-old man.

Hernandez, 23, is at the center of the investigation into the death of Odin Lloyd, a Dorchester resident and semi-professional football player for the Boston Bandits.

Despite apparently false media reports that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, Hernandez was not taken into custody as of press time yesterday.

Lloyd's body was discovered on Monday in an industrial park about a mile from Hernandez's home in North Attleboro; he was reportedly shot in the face.

Investigators searched Hernandez's house for nearly four hours Saturday, and were seen emerging with several bags. A law enforcement official with knowledge of the case told Reuters today that investigators were busy examining the items, but declined to give details.

Hernandez has not spoken publicly about the case, and his agent and lawyer have repeatedly declined comment.

Media remained camped out in Hernandez's affluent neighborhood Sunday, apparently holding onto reports that an arrest was looming.

In an unrelated set of circumstances, a Connecticut man has sued Hernandez for allegedly shooting him in the face after the two left a strip club in Miami in February.

Hernandez allegedly fired a bullet into Alexander Bradley’s eye after the two of them drove away from Tootsie’s strip club in Miami. The shooting happened in Riviera Beach, some 75 miles north of Miami, according Reuters. Bradley said he lost his eye and has undergone multiple surgeries. He is seeking unspecified damages.